Translation guide
To look quickly or secretly, often from a hidden position or through a small opening.
To glance at something briefly and furtively, often without being noticed.
The most common verb for peeking, implying looking through a gap, from behind something, or into a place where you shouldn't.
ドアの隙間から部屋を覗いた。
I peeked into the room through the crack in the door.
彼はカーテンの後ろから外を覗いている。
He is peeking outside from behind the curtain.
A casual, colloquial phrase meaning to take a quick glance or sneak a peek, often at a person or thing of interest.
彼女がこっちをチラ見してたよ。
She was peeking over here.
Literally 'steal a look', emphasizing the secretive, illicit nature of peeking. More literary or dramatic.
彼は隣の人の答案を盗み見た。
He peeked at his neighbor's test paper.
To take a short look at something, often by moving your head or opening something slightly.
A simple, natural way to say 'take a quick look' without the secretive nuance. Use when peeking is just a brief glance.
ちょっと見て、誰が来たか教えて。
Take a peek and tell me who came.
Also used for non-secretive peeking, like peeking into a shop or looking briefly at a book.
本屋をちょっと覗いてみよう。
Let's peek into the bookstore for a bit.
When something appears partially or briefly from behind or under something else.
Used intransitively for things that are partially visible, like the sun peeking through clouds or a pet peeking out from under a blanket.
雲の間から太陽が覗いている。
The sun is peeking through the clouds.
布団から猫の顔が覗いていた。
The cat's face was peeking out from the futon.
Literally 'show one's face', used for people or animals appearing briefly, like peeking out from a hiding place.
To secretly look at someone else's phone, computer, or other screen.
Specifically for peeking at a screen. Combines 覗く (peek) with 見る (look).
電車で隣の人のスマホの画面を覗き見るのはやめましょう。
Don't peek at the person next to you's smartphone screen on the train.
Casual, can be used for screens as well.
彼のパソコンをチラ見したら、ゲームしてた。
I peeked at his computer and he was playing a game.
The English word 'peek' (look quickly) is often confused with 'peak' (summit). In Japanese, 覗く (のぞく) is for peeking, while 頂上 (ちょうじょう) or 山頂 (さんちょう) is for peak.
覗く implies looking through a gap, from a hidden spot, or briefly. 見る is just 'to look'. Use 覗く when there's an element of secrecy or partial view.
プレゼントをちょっと覗いてみた。
I took a peek at the present.
覗いちゃダメ！
No peeking!
子供がドアの後ろから顔を出した。
The child peeked out from behind the door.